tales of an expat

Thursday, 10 November 2005

Spotted

Sometimes, it pays to go out.

Or at least go to a good bakery.

Here's why.

My regular readers (and in-country friends) know that Shamash has been rather a hermit lately, noticeably absent from the usual watering holes. Even when she does venture out, it has been noted she has come across as slightly unsociable and (she hopes) very, very mysterious. But, last night, at French Condessa's insistence, she ventured out to the The Corner, where she quickly realized that going out has its advantages. Definitely. Here is what she found.

Advantages to going out:

1. To find out what you missed.Shamash missed, for example, seeing one of her favorite ugly-sexy actors, Gerard Depardieu, who was in town for a few days. Ms. Picasso, who was buying bread at her favorite bakery the other day, spotted him, and other embassy officials confirmed his presence in Y. Had she known, Shamash might have broken her solitude to search the town just for a glimpse.

2. To get good travel recommendations. Shamash was able to get some valuable travel information about her upcoming trip to The Philippines. Muscles and Pendant, fresh in from Manila, gave her excellent tips: the kind you CAN’T get online. The kind that only the locals know.

3. To eat good food. Those who live here know that Y. has some excellent restaurants. But, as a vegetarian, Shamash admits that she gets tired of the same ole’, same ole’. Last night, however, she was pleasantly surprised to have a taste of one of the best dishes in town: spinach lasagna. She’s going back. Definitely.

After a few glasses of wine, and singing a loud, nostalgic “New York, New York” with the band and the gals, she came home and fell into bed, smiling.

Yes, there are advantages to being a hermit. But there are also advantages to going out.